What's important to this trip is that we reach Almar. Haafgar thought of my suggestion over a cup of tea and agreed to it eventually. We could sell some of the wares but not all of them. And we shall sell the wares if it's really necessary.
Three days later, Carim's wounds healed without prominent scars. The soreness was lifted by the healing salve and he could wield his sword once more. I asked him one time about the name of his sword. People in television names their sword, could he?
"Name of my sword?" Carim laughed. "Only novice pompous knights name their swords. Don't say you'll name your dagger?"
"My dagger?"
"Haafgar told me you've been practicing the basics. Here." He threw one dagger from his belt "You've earned it."
I sheathed the dagger in my belt and thanked Carim for the gift. The blade is steel with a leather-wrapped hilt. Simple but more than enough to kill.
We set off not a day. Smithee had two horses hoisted to the wagon, one white and the other black. They're good stallions, Smithee said. The best of his best. A day and a half of running and they'll come begging for water then continue running. By his estimate, we won't reach Almar in a month. Rather, we'll reach it by three weeks.
As for our wares, it isn't furniture or vases like I expected. It's weapons, from maces to the biggest broadswords. We'll sell half of it and the other will be sent to the Almar Mage Guild to be enchanted with fire. Haafgar told me that I should visit the mage guild too. I could learn a minor hex or two. Also, visit the Mercenary Guild there so I'll be invoked into their brotherhood.
And finally, we set off. Haafgar and Carim hugged as if they aren't going to meet anymore. Smithee gave our provisions for a week and then we left. The road out of Proudspire is a rough and muddy landscape. The wheels in the wagon would often get stuck and Carim would use his hexes to lodge us out. By the time we reached steady roads, a long stream of horses, carriages, and wagons blocked our way.
Carim asked another rider of what's happening.
"Queen Frigga's blockade laddy. Her men's rooting out Arslan's remaining knights didn't you hear?"
"I heard, but I thought they're already wiped off? I participated in the manhunt"
"Heh, naive of you to think that. There are rumors that they'll escape here. Bollocks! I say to that. Arslan's men will take Hrothgar's pass not here. Aye, that is true."
We spent the latter part of the day waiting for an unmoving line. As it turns out, they aren't letting people out until the next day. Behind our skies is a storm heavier than the ones these past few weeks. If we don't leave now, it'll outpace us on our way to our first town. The roads would muddy up and certain beast who are active in the rain can ambush us. Carim's notable sword loses its effectiveness in the rain too.
And so...